THE Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival enjoyed a wonderful 25th birthday celebration.
Members of the tour got to try out stages of the whisky making process at Dunphail DistilleryPicture: Daniel Forsyth.
With more than 7,500 ticket sales across the six days, the event attracted visitors from 39 countries.
That generated £425,000 in revenue, which was a 20 per cent increase on the 2023 festival.
The top four countries for festival-goers were Germany, the US, Netherlands and Canada
Linda Mellis ran the judging sessions at The Malt Barn at Glenfiddich Distillery.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Simon Kunz. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards judging held at The Malt Barn at Glenfiddich Distillery.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards judging held at The Malt Barn at Glenfiddich Distillery.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Matt McKay, Dunphail Distillery's director of whisky creation leads the tour. The beginning: celebrating the opening of Dunphail Distillery.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Glen Moray's Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan with a Glen Moray dram and a plate of Tapas, prepared by Orrin.From Spain to Speyside: Tapas and Tasting at Glen Moray. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The Macallan distillery hosted the opening dinner which was attended by more than 400 guests, including former Scotland manager Alex McLeish and celebrity chef Tony Singh.
Outgoing chairman George McNeil paid tribute to his executive team and volunteers who helped stage tastings, tours and other special events.
Sarah Burgess will become the festival’s first female chair in its 25 year history when she takes over from Mr McNeil at the AGM in November.
Head chef at Orrin, Elliott Sabor, prepared the Tapas. From Spain to Speyside: Tapas and Tasting at Glen Moray. Part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Head chef at Orrin, Elliott Sabor, prepared the Tapas. From Spain to Speyside: Tapas and Tasting at Glen Moray. Part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Alan Moir on the Dufftown to Keith Dram Train. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Dram Tram from Dufftown to Keith.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Mueck Felix (left) and Matthias Trumper (right) on the Dram Train.Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Dram Tram from Dufftown to Keith.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Matt McKay, Dunphail Distillery's director of whisky creation leads the tour.The beginning: celebrating the opening of Dunphail Distillery, part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Matt McKay, Dunphail Distillery's director of whisky creation leads the tour.The beginning: celebrating the opening of Dunphail Distillery, part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Linda Mellis ran the judging sessions. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards judging held at The Malt Barn at Glenfiddich Distillery.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth TaylorLee McCulloch (left) and Alex McLeish. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth TaylorChairman George McNeil with his wife, Laura McNeil. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth TaylorVice Chair, Sarah Burgess and Celebrity Chef, Tony Singh. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth TaylorStuart Cassells, General Manager at The Macallan. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth TaylorSpirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Opening Dinner 2024 held at The Macallan Distillery Estate. Picture: Beth Taylor
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